Simenon finishedMaigret and Monsieur Charles on 2/11/1972. It turned out to be his last novel. A year later, Georges Simenon changed the occupational listing on his passportfrom “novelist” to “no profession.” Two days later, Simenon revealed why he “will no longer write” in a 24 Heures interview.Ten days later,Paris-Matchquoted the novelist in this headline: “It’s over, I’m killing Maigret.”

Way back in a lengthy 1968 interview, Simenon had heavily emphasized the role his unconscious played whenever writing a novel.

So, I reread Maiget and Monsieur Charles to see ifanyunconscious elements therein foreshadowed his cessation of novelwriting.Indeed,the story opens withMaigretcontemplating his own approaching retirement: "He had just made a decision about the remainder of his career.”Perhaps Simenon was also contemplating retirement as a novelist. Offered a chance to be “the big boss,” Maigret becomes “gloomy” instead of feeling “joy.” In turning down thispromotion―"he had, in a few minutes, made a decision about a future path”―Maigret is thinking that, soon, he will no longer be a cop. Perhaps Simenon was also thinkingthat, soon, he will no longer be a novelist.

Subsequently,the novel repeatedly hints boththe policeman and the novelist are reaching the end of the line, providing uncannysupport for the concept that, in sort of an unconscious creation,Maigretis/equalsSimenon. What follows are some examples of how Maigret (you mightread this asSimenon) seems unhappy with what he iscurrently doing andlikely looking forward toretirement.It becomes clear this double manis physically and emotionally wearing down, making it hard to envision him continuing his work or wanting to continue it.“The majority [of neurotics and psychotics] made his life difficult.” A “winded” Maigret “grumbled” about how “they’ve modernized the premises, but had no thought of putting in an elevator.” This challenging lack of elevators threatens him twice more.When he walks to a meeting, he “regretted it” because “the journey seemed long” and “he wiped the sweat off his brow several times.”He fumes over “the hardship of submitting his expense account.” His behavior escalates into being all business, impatient, and demanding. “For the Chief Inspector, it was always an emergency.”Finally, he blames his “nightmares” and “an intense headache” on nonexistent “major physical efforts.”

Moreover, the novel’s writing stylesupports the idea thatthe novelist, like the policeman, isrunning out of gas.Atypically, there is apreponderance of non-contributory dialogue and multiple repetitions of particulars not worthy of serial emphasis. For example, one rehears and rehears how the dead man “disappeared from time to time for days at a time” and how Nathalie and Gérard became total “strangers.” These entriesseem like lazypage fillers from the typewriter of a tired, disinterested novelist. When Simenon has Maigret offer his famously non-imbibing wife a midday glass of gin,this suggests a novelist whois giving up the ghost.

In short, I think, asMaigret pondersretirement―“at least, let him employ those three yearsas he sees fit”―the novelist is probablypondering retirement, too.